Overview

Amazon provides two main account options for third‑party sellers: the Individual plan and the Professional plan. The decision hinges on how many items you sell each month, which Amazon tools you need, and how much you’re willing to spend on fees. Picking the right plan can lower expenses, unlock advertising, and open gated categories that drive higher margins.

Key Points

• Monthly vs. per‑item cost — Individual sellers pay $0.99 each time an item sells, while Professional sellers incur a fixed $39.99 monthly subscription with no per‑sale charge.
• Access to gated categories — Only Professional accounts can apply for approval to list in restricted groups such as fine jewelry, automotive parts, or grocery items.
• Buy Box eligibility — Professional sellers are automatically entered into the Buy Box algorithm, whereas Individual sellers rarely qualify.
• Advertising capabilities — Sponsored Products, Sponsored Brands, and other pay‑per‑click campaigns are available exclusively to Professional sellers.
• Bulk inventory tools — Professionals can upload hundreds of SKUs at once via CSV files or API integrations; Individuals must add products one by one.
• Break‑even sales volume — When monthly sales approach roughly 40 units, the $0.99 per‑item fee of an Individual plan equals the $39.99 Professional subscription, making the Professional plan more economical beyond that point.

How Amazon Seller Plans Work

1. Account creation —

   • Individual: Register with a personal email, submit basic tax details, and start selling without a monthly charge.
   • Professional: Follow the same registration steps, then add a credit card to cover the $39.99 recurring fee before any advanced tools become available.

2. Product listing —

   • Individual: Use the “Add a Product” form for each SKU; each sale triggers the $0.99 per‑item fee.